Proposal would help the Contra Costa County Family Justice Center meet demands for providing support services to victims of domestic violence and other crimes.
(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Timothy S. Grayson (D-Concord) testified before an Assembly Budget Subcommittee to urge for a separate, dedicated funding stream for Family Justice Centers (FJC) across the state.
FJCs are comprehensive multi-agency centers that provide support services to victims of interpersonal violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elderly abuse and human trafficking.
“Currently, FJCs are in desperate need for more funding because they can’t meet the rising demand to serve the most vulnerable residents who are suffering from the hands of their abusers,” said Assemblymember Grayson.
However, FJCs have no consistent funding from the state and instead draw from a combination of public and private sources. FJCs are currently the largest framework through which government agencies collaborate to provide victim services.
In a letter to state budget leaders, Assemblymember Grayson and 28 other colleagues called for $10 million in the form of a competitive grant program to go towards FJCs with the largest case volume.
“My colleagues and I believe the state should do more to encourage this collaboration,” said Assemblymember Grayson.
This grant program will help the staff of the Contra Costa County Family Justice Center meet its casework load and improve delivery of key services, which are crucial in helping survivors get the legal services, security, and self-sufficiency they need to escape their abusers and have thriving, independent lives.
Assemblymember Timothy S. Grayson represents the 14th Assembly District which includes the communities of Clayton, Concord, Martinez, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Benicia, and Vallejo. For more information, please visit https://a15.asmdc.org/